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I'm looking for recommended hiking sources for AB park, online or book. If online, preferably it can be read on an iPhone or iPad.
I found this web site http://www.borregohiking.com which seems to have a lot of hikes and other info. Hard to read on an iPhone but otherwise seems useful.
Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm always on the lookout for new hiking trails, but prefer trails that are under 6 hours hiking time.
Thanks!
Bill

Thanks Bob, I just ordered it. It looks like what I wanted.
-Bill

Hey Bob, we probably would have missed each other anyway, we got to Split Rock at sundown and left just after sunrise. Taking 2 rolls of film to develop today, TR will follow when I get them back, all I can say now is there is some awesome country back in that area, this was one of my favorite trips in the park ever.

Here is a map of where we went more or less http://caltopo.com/map?id=1I3O

Headed out for another amazing ABDSP trip up Pinyon Wash and Harper Flat. Harper flat offers so much and it would be a great trip to hike all around the rim of the edge of the Flat checking out all the Indian sites. We planned on doing a backpack trip, but I think we are becomming spoiled with the camper. Also, had the great pleasure of meeting Bob. Bob, you must have been bummed to drive all the way up Pinyon wash to see the best campsite taken...Sorry First time I had to put the rig in 4wd before even entering the wash! while driving up the wash/maze The kids asked me where is the road and I replied "That is what I am trying to tell you It has been totally blown away kids."

Awesome Bob! You gonna put that can on your product review blog? - Jim

Bob, it was nice to meet you. Crazy how vast abdsp is and we ended up camping in the same wash! Hope you didn't follow my tracks on the way out of pinyon wash as I got lost a few times and had to bulldoze a few catclaw bushes!

Great trip Bob! Did you have an extra hose to replace the blown one out there? I like that campfire setup.

......
Bob, I haven't worked up the courage to pick up a tarantula yet.

Do you have an Android Phone? If so download Back Country Navigator. It is perfect for offroading and navigating roads in the desert. You can download all the maps you want at home, on wifi, for free, then use them in the middle of nowhere, even if you don't have service.

If you go with a regular gps, like garmin, etc, they charge a fortune for their maps and they aren't that good in my opinion.

I use My Topo on an iPad and love it. It seamlessly connects standard 1:24K topos you download for free. The big touch screen gives you the big picture you don't get on a tiny GPS and you can easily zoom in if desired. Doesn't allow tracking but you can do waymarks and screen saves are easy. Think it cost $9.99. Tom

Thanks for the info, it will be interesting to see trains active on the rail again.

surfponto wrote:

Yeah not sure how I feel about that. Guess hiking the tracks will be out.
On the other hand it would be cool to take a rail tour through Carrizo Gorge

Hiking the tracks will be out, if they actually get this project off the ground. The big question is, Will they actually be able to get it running and keep the line running? The numbers that I've seen don't add up and a lot of people I've talked to about it feel the same way.

As for a rail tour through the Gorge, your only hope for that will be to know someone who works for PIR. It'll be a strictly freight operation. If you've got an hour to kill here's a video shot from an engine that went through the gorge.

Bob, reading your post now over three years ago got me started looking for this cave. My third attempt was this past Saturday. After studying Google Earth at length, I concluded a large boulder lodged on a steep Indian Canyon slope MUST be the place. Climbing to the exact spot, I realized I'd failed again. Deciding to keep looking around, I spied a possible location far in the distance. Only when I could see an orange sun on the rock ceiling did I know for sure I'd finally found it. My favorite picto is the sun or star with the tail. Comet anyone? Thanks for the adventure! Tom

Sun Tail2 by tomteske, on Flickr

Awesome, Bob. I like it. What is the program you're running in the photo? I need to get a mount for Xmas! Tom

Anyone here go on the BorregoFest 2013? Looks like fun:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/trip-report/2568-borregofest-2013.html

Looks like a great a trip, the powder cans look like they are almost all gone. I remember seeing 4WD cars on the tracks on a trip out with Bob and his wife.

Nice. Looks great.

Really like our ARB bumper. Very high quality.

I am looking at Toyota trucks, oldest I can find so far are '80 models with the 22r engine. Also looking at American trucks, I miss my old '67 C20 long bed and my IH Travelall, shoulda kept that.

Bob, that truck was a money pit and the smog related problems with it and many newer ones were just going to be problematic so it was time to get rid of it. I can't see myself without having a truck to haul stuff around it so that is what I will probably be getting.

THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC ACCESS AREA! You are trespassing by accessing this area. There is a reason it is not vandalized and that is because the public is not legally allowed in this area. Please be responsible and check before you go posting this as a hike and going where you are not allowed. Who ever told you you could go into this area (if you were told) is wrong and giving out bad info.

That looks like a big healthy coyote....funny thing is all my bait was still there in the morning. Gonna take the pinhole film in today to get developed....we'll see....

.....Bob, Daren wouldn't shut up about how awesome his new truck was! Tom

dsefcik wrote:

tommy750 wrote:

Bob, Daren wouldn't shut up about how awesome his new truck was! Tom

Now that we know you're into classic Toyota trucks Daren, here's my favorite taken in Jordan's Wadi Rum on a tour a few years back. Straight up old school. Tom
....

This is a completely legit hike on public land in an ecological reserve. This link should clarify things. Check out the additional link on "The General's Lady" which mentions the kilns and additional fascinating history on the messy transfer of lands from The Kumeyaay to Mexicans to Americans. Tom
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region5/ranchojamul/

Jim (ziphius) wrote:

PS - Welcome aboard Florian.

Thank you! I just discovered this forum after seeing it mentioned on the mtsanjacinto.info hiking forums. I'm a long-time AB desert visitor enjoying camping, hiking, and cycling. Good to find a group of people that loves the AB as much as i do!

-Florian

Hello, I've been spending the last few weekends in Anza Borrego putting this timelapse together, thought I'd share. There are a few scenes from Death Valley, Palomar Mountain and Joshua Tree but my favorite clips are from Anza. Included is the Wind Caves, Fish Creek (north fork), Fonts Point and Arroyo Tapiado. Figured I'd share since this forum has been a good source of info.

Sweet ride! I had an '89 that went all over the park without issue, only got rid of it because it didn't want to haul two dirt bikes and a trailer. Hope to see you out there in it!

How full does the park get during President's Weekend. I've been visiting Death Valley for 26 years and I think it's time to change it up and expand my knowledge of this great desert. Unfortunately DV becomes a zoo during this holiday and it discourages me from wanting to visit there so I was wondering what the impact is on AB. I have two boys 8 & 5 and would love to visit here. Any advice would be encouraged and very well appreciated.

Cos

Thinking of heading out myself but haven't decided where to camp yet.

Bob

Dido, if you drive by egg mountain you might see me up there

So is that photo out in front of the Lazy Lizard??

Couldn't help it, bought a companion component for the truck...


edited by dsefcik on 2/12/2014

That looks like me a few weeks back when I took the new (to me) SR5 out to Mine/Pinyon Wash, I had all my junk in the bed with a bungie net holding everything in place...nothing fits inside my cab anymore!!

Nice pics and trip. Can't believe I've never been out there. Thanks. Tom

Do any of you guys carry a solar rechargeable unit when in the back country? I was thinking of purchasing a Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Kit. Any first hand reviews? Basic need for recharging phone, tablet and camera battery. Need the tablet for kids at night. Incase you were wondering. Little one still afraid of the dark. LOL!
edited by Veke on 2/20/2014

Here is a post bomb photo

......btw I read that the old Ranchos used to ring cactus around thier adobe homes to keep cattle and hostle indians out.

Thank you for the replies. I went ahead and purchased a Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar kit as my friend had one and we were able to use it during our camping trip last week in Corn Springs. A little pricey but with his discount I can save $125 off the asking price. Very pleased and thanks for all the replies. I was hoping to further use the unit this weekend in AB but I see a nice Pacific storm is finally making its way in.

Like most people I guess, just a long abuse of my youthful back and now it has had enough...that backbubble looks interesting....

Couple of quick pics. It's warm and beautiful!

Good morning on the desert .. http://instagram.com/p/miYCqgPatq/

On Egg Mtn where i'm posting from .. http://instagram.com/p/miXp29vatG/

You may want to check out East County Magazine's report on Ocotillo Wind's first year production numbers and Pattern's misleading and potentially fraudulent application for the project. Incendiary. Tom


http://eastcountymagazine.org/was-it-fraud-experts-raise-serious-questions-after-low-first-year-energy-production-ocotillo-wind-pr

If you are interested in participating in the 2014 Bighorn Sheep Count just fill out the attached application and email to ranger Steve.

surfponto wrote:

I think Mary and I may try to do it this year.
Not sure I am up for a backpacking spot since my back , like yours, has been out of commission.

Was not aware you had bad back problems...8-(
They have plenty of hike in/out sites, it would be good to see you guys out there, hope you can make it.

Jim (ziphius) wrote:

Love the boulder lichen. Don't think I've ever seen a lichen-covered boulder in AB before. Great ant video too. How much water did you consume? Do your salt tablets also contain potassium?

I carried 3 liters each day and usually chug a liter or more before departure. Yes, my tablets have potassium, I use a product called Succeed!, it is what I used when I did all my ultra running and works great.

I would say sure, why not....post it.

dsefcik wrote:

As usual, amazing TR Nolan, you have some of the luckiest kids....I still struggle with the "Desert Season" phrase everyone uses....the desert is open for use 365 days a year and each "season" offers different enjoyments. Try the mud caves in 118 degrees, the cool breeze slot is amazing and there are not 110 cars parked in the wash...just one, yours...

You are so right! Living out here we like exploring this time of year...empty for the most part! Great for night trip in the buggy!
edited by Borregolinda on 6/15/2014

With Desert season coming to a close thought this would be a fun read
Click link below
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27746140.cfm

surfponto wrote:

Nice hike David.
Batiquitos lagoon?

Can almost see my house in the first pic in the left corner. (That's our complex up on the hill)

Where did you start the hike?

Hi Surfponto,
Yes it is Batiquitos ( which means little baptized one) go figure?
btw its Paul not David
Hiked in from Swallow tail. Saxony to Quail hollow to Swallow tail then on foot. If you go be careful of the 20 ft gully in the middle of the heavy brush. I almost fell in. It's very hidden in spots.

I am beginning to see a theme of photos of me by others...

surfponto wrote:

Very sad about the lambs. Is that due to lack of water?
What time did you get started?
Bob

Hard to say about the lamb, water could have been the problem..we started around 11am and got back to the cars by dusk.

Made a little day trip to northern AB this morning driving in on S22 from the east. S22 is now open but evidence lots of water had crossed the road. I drove the Truckhaven Trail from near the microwave tower over to Arroyo Salado and then south down Ella Wash. Palo Verde wash was still wet and muddy so turned around and went back up Ella Wash back to S22. I do not like mud. Font's Wash looks like it had had water flowing edge to edge where it crosses S22! Wasn't flowing today but mud was still shiny and wet. There is also water in Clark Lake. Drove up the Rockhouse Canyon road a bit but stopped south of the gravel quarry as road was still under water and muddy. Did i mention i don't like mud? Also looks like the structures and conveyor belts have been removed from the quarry. When did that happen?

I'll post some pictures later.

-Florian

We got next to nothing at our house but Coyote Canyon, about 3 mikes from us, got a bunch. This photo was from ABF. 2nd crossing. This was last Monday.

"was" ?? so this TR will continue..??